Paralympic medalist to compete again

Zena Cole, of Oregon, poses at Pearson Metropark with her bronze medal which she won for the discus throw at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

Zena Cole of Oregon, who captured the bronze last year at the Paralympic Games in London, has been named to the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Team.

She is one of 33 athletes on the 2013 team, and said she plans to compete in the U.S. Nationals, to be held in June at a yet-to-be selected location, and the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships scheduled for July 16-29 in Lyon, France. Her events are the discus and the club, which is the Paralympic equivalent of the hammer throw.

The 55-year-old was stricken with polio when she was 18 months old and uses a wheel chair. She took the bronze in London with a discus throw of 5.29 meters, which set an American record in the quadriplegic women's category. In achieving the record, she surpassed the U.S. record she set in 2011 at the Parapan American Games in Mexico.

"This is my third year. I'm excited," she said."I'm ready to get it started all over again. I'm blessed to be following my dream for another year."

Ms. Cole is Ohio's only Paralympian on the 2013 team, according to USA Paralympics. Michigan too has one member, Scot Severn of Caro, a shot putter.

Ms. Cole said she earned reappointment to the team because she was a medalist last year.

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